Saudi rower and Olympic hopeful Husein Alireza on Saturday suffered a devastating injury that has left his chances of qualifying for Tokyo 2020 in ruins, Arabic sports daily Arriyadiyah reported.
There had been high hopes that Alireza would join the Saudi under-23 football team and table tennis player Ali Al-Khadrawi at the games, which kick off in July.
But an injury to his ribcage meant he had to withdraw from the qualifying competition that took place in Tokyo over the weekend.
Three days before the Tokyo 2020 competition, Husein Alireza felt pain in his ribs but decided to participate anyway. (Instagram: @saudirowing)
Under the watchful eye of Daniel Janes, director of rowing at the Saudi Rowing Federation, Alireza had ahead of the qualifying campaign taken part in a successful three-month training camp at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center near San Diego, California.
Three days before the competition, Alireza felt pain in his ribs but decided to participate anyway. Unfortunately for him and the Saudi team, he could not complete the race
Following his withdrawal, he was set to leave for Britain, where he is expected to receive treatment at a specialized center for sports injuries.
Rower Husein Alireza part in a successful three-month training camp at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center near San Diego, California. (Instagram: @saudirowing)
